MEPIS Community Forum

Greetings,

I am now using kernel 2.6 and would like to upgrade to 3.2 how do I go about it.

Thanks,

Michel

I just did this on a machine yesterday
Add the squeeze-backports repository to SynapticReload
In Settings - > Preferences -> Distribution set it to prefer versions from squeeze-backports
You'll then be able to install the 3.2 kernel. linux-image-3.2.0-0.bpo.2-686-pae (3.2.18-1~bpo60+1) for a 32bit install, or linux-image-3.2.0-0.bpo.2-amd64 (3.2.18-1~bpo60+1) for a 64bit install.
Don't forget to install the headers as well - either linux-headers-686-pae or linux-headers-amd64

If you are using one of the proprietary video drivers for nVidia for ATI you will need to rebuild your driver for the new kernel after you reboot. If you used sgfxi before, it will still be there to run. If not, it's a good idea to download it now and read the directions so you're ready.

Lastly, I've found that Synaptic doesn't always update the /bootvmlinuz & /boot/initrd.img symlinks to point at the new kernel, leaving it installed but not available in the boot menu.
Open a root Dolphin File Manager and check to see. Hovering over the symlink will show what it's linked to in the bottom of the frame. If they're still linked to the old kernel then fix them.
The easiest way I've found is to delete vmlinuz, then click and drag the vmlinuz-3.2.0-0.bpo.2-686-pae file an inch to the right, select Link here and type in the name vmlinuz. Do the same for the initrd.img link with the appropriate initrd file.

Reboot into your new kernel. If you get a black screen Console terminal, then you are running propretary ATI or nVidia drivers that need rebulding for the new kernel. Log in as root and run sgfxi to rebuild them.

Don't forget to change Synaptic back to preferring the highest version (or preferring versions from mepis if that's where you had it set).

Thanks Tim, What if I don't want to use the Ati driver?

Thanks,

Michel

If you are using any open source driver, like the intel or the radeon driver, there's no issue. Those drivers are in the kernel tree and are updated automagically when you install a new kernel.

Shouldn't he also install the Xorg upgrade (1.7.7 --> 1.10.4) from either squeeze-backports or the CR?

Also the firmware-* upgrades (0.28 --> 0.35) ?

The firmware-* upgrades are not in squeeze-backports, or in the CR.

It's not necessary to upgrade Xorg to use the new kernel - although the radeon driver has definitely been improved and he might want to do that upgrade as well. Depends on why he wants a new kernel.

I once did a Liquorix upgrade and all it took was installing Liquorix via synaptic!

The reason I want to do this upgrade is because I feel I have something messed up in my system. Basically I have problems logging out of X and with the computer freezing when going into sleep mode. Could I fix my existing 2.6 kernel instead of upgrading?

Thanks,

Michel

Firmware upgrades are available in squeeze-backports:
http://packages.debian.org/search?suite=squeeze-backports&searchon=names&keywords=firmware-

My bad, they're in non-free and I only enabled main so I didn't see them.

What I dreaded most happened. I booted into a black screen and there is no way for me to reboot or login or do anything. I am running the live CD now! How do I boot back into my system (I'm not even sure I managed to boot with 3.2) and fix the Ati issue.

Your help is quite appreciated.

Michel